The Helena-West Helena School Advisory Board approved a major renovation to Cad Polk Stadium's bleachers at their monthly meeting Monday night and Department of Education officials have signed off on the plan, which means Cougar Football Fans will see a noticeable upgrade to the football stadium on Friday nights this fall.
School Board President Andrew Bagley announced the renovation Friday morning on the "Community Conversation with Reverend Jarvis Smith" program on KCLT 104.9 FM. Bagley said, "This investment in Cad Polk Stadium is long over due and I thank those School Board members who voted to support the project and for Ms. McCommon and Mr. Reed working so hard to get this project approved. Cougar Fans have been wanting this done for years and I am so happy for Athletic Director and Coach Russell Smith who has worked so hard to keep our football program competitive. It is time we started providing the resources to make the facility upgrades that we so desperately need."
While the Helena-West Helena School District is paying for most of the project, the Helena-West Helena Booster Club has received contributions that will cover a portion of the project, including a grant from the East Arkansas Planning and Development District with the support of Representative Chris Richey and from a contribution from the Helena-West Helena A and P Commission. Bagley, who is also one of the Booster Club Officers said, "I want to thank our donors and our officers for their support. It's a team effort as we keep things moving in the right direction in HWHSD. Great things happen every day in HWHSD because of the good people we have supporting the district, its students, and its programs."
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| Getting a makeover soon |
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| Roped off and ready for work to start |
Smith was elated with the news as well. He said, "Our facilities have been way behind most programs we play. I am so happy for our athletes, our fans, and our program that this is going to happen. I am hopeful that this is just the beginning and that our fans will fill up Cad Polk Stadium this fall and support our teams. Our kids are working hard right now to put a winning product on the field."
The project will use the existing bleacher frames, but all of the seating will be new. The seating will be brought up to current codes and will include handicap accessibility.
The first senior high home game is September 5 against Dollarway. The first home conference game is September 26 against Newport. Homecoming is slated for October 10.
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